CITY OF CLAREMONT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025
7:00 P.M.
Before the regular meeting commenced, Donna Gregory was sworn in as Council Member. City Council discussed appointing an interim mayor until a mayor was appointed. Motion by Sultze to appoint Ryan Hedberg as Interim Mayor, second by Ellis. Ayes: Sultze and Ellis. Nays: None. Abstain: Gregory. Motion carried. Hedberg was sworn in as Interim Mayor.
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Claremont, Minnesota was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Claremont City Hall.
Members present: Interim Mayor Ryan Hedberg. City Council Members: Deb Ellis, Donna Gregory, and Krystal Sultze.
City staff and others present: City Administrator Elizabeth Sorg, Bret Nordstrom, Elise Ness, Denise Schwering, Dean Schuette, Teri Schuette, Timothy Hudson, Karen Jorgensen, Jared Sultze, Jamie Sultze, Lisa Martinez, Elle Leeper, Ethan Johnson, Hannah Niske, Carter Behnken, Greg Peterson, Aiden Peterson, Jim Zylstra, Randi Lee, Dustin Molitor, Nick Sultze, Derek Gasner, Kindra Gasner, Jeff Simon, Mary Goulette, and Kari Striver.
MAYOR/CITY COUNCIL VACANCY
The council discussed the mayor vacancy and opted to take applications from residents for the open mayor seat. Applications will be taken until January 27 then a special meeting will be held at 7 p.m. to review the applications.
AGENDA
Motion by Ellis to approve the agenda with additions of: Approval of Resolution No. 25-03: Resolution Authorizing Signature Authority for City Accounts, Resolution No. 25-04: Resolution Expressing Acceptance of and Appreciation of Donations, and approve Fire Department officers and one removal of New Business. E. Cannabis Ordinance, motion seconded by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC INPUT
A question was asked how many officers the Fire Department has. Answer to that question was 3 officers for the Fire Department. It was asked if the city needs 3 officers and council said yes.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda included: Minutes of the December 3, 2024 City Council Meeting, December 17, 2024 Special City Council Meeting, and Assessment Agreement with Dodge County. Motion by Sultze to approve the Consent Agenda, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
PERSONNEL
COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Motion by Ellis to approve the financial reports, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Ellis to approve the amended list of bills to be paid, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE
The fire department members voted for Casey Dahl to remain Fire Chief for 2025, Jacob Klejeski as Assistant Chief, and Jacob Hesse as Training Officer. Motion by Ellis to approve Dahl as the 2025 Fire Chief, Klejeski as Assistant Chief, and Hesse as Training Officer, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
EDA
Nothing at this time.
MAINTENANCE
DEPARTMENT
Nothing at this time.
PARKS COMMITTEE
Nothing at this time.
PEOPLESERVICE
Nothing at this time.
CITY ENGINEER
Nothing at this time.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Nothing at this time.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Mark Rahrick was not present.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
The council named The Messenger as the official newspaper. The Acting Mayor who will preside in the absence of the mayor, once appointed, will be Hedberg. The 2025 committees will be: Budget and Finance: Mayor and Sultze
Public Health and Safety: Ellis and Hedberg
Planning: Hedberg and Ellis
Parks: Mayor and Gregory
EDA: Mayor and Council Members
Personnel: Gregory and Sultze
The Mayor will be the alternate member.
Motion by Sultze to approve Resolution No. 25-01: Resolution Stating Annual Designations for 2025, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Ellis to approve Resolution No. 25-02: Resolution of 2025 Fees, second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
Nathan Gustafson submitted his resignation effective December 22. Motion by Sultze to accept the resignation of Nathan Gustafson, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
A job ad for part-time maintenance worker will be posted. Applications will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. on January 27, 2025.
Motion by Hedberg to approve Council Members Ellis and Sultze attending LMC Elected Leaders Advanced Program, second by Gregory. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Sultze to approve Council Member Gregory attending LMC Elected Leader Program, second by Ellis. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Sultze approving a 3% wage adjustment for the 3 employees, second by Hedberg. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Hedberg to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m., second by Sultze. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Elizabeth Sorg, City Administrator
Jared Sultze, Mayor
